State files string of charges against Hickey

STOCKTON - Lodi defense attorney Gary Hickey was charged with the battery of two people, two alcohol-related counts and other offenses Tuesday.

Jennie Rodriguez-Moore

STOCKTON - Lodi defense attorney Gary Hickey was charged with the battery of two people, two alcohol-related counts and other offenses Tuesday.

Hickey, who last week lost his campaign for San Joaquin County district attorney, was already facing a hit-and-run resulting in property damage from a 2013 crash in Stockton.

The state attorney general has filed three separate additional complaints against Hickey stemming from a string of arrests from April to June. He was arraigned on them Tuesday.

Hickey, who is out of custody on bail, could not be reached for comment.

One complaint alleges that on April 11, Hickey committed a misdemeanor of driving under the influence, and the charge is attached to a "special allegation" for refusal of a chemical test.

Lodi police reports say he was arrested that early morning following a tip from an anonymous source who reported Hickey was driving inebriated. Officers waited near Hickey's home in the 2500 block of Creekside Drive and pulled him over when they spotted him.

The state's second complaint charges Hickey, 65, with two counts of misdemeanor battery and one misdemeanor count of dissuading a witness from reporting a crime.

It states that on April 29, Hickey used force and violence against James Ferroni.

Police reported that Ferroni said Hickey punched him, and during the altercation the victim dislocated his hip at Hickey's home. Ferroni, 61, said he was at the residence in the 1600 block of Fawnhaven Way to help his friend, a caretaker at the home, collect money Hickey owed her for services.

Hickey's disabled brother lives at the Fawnhaven Way house.

The woman is identified in the complaint as Mickey Segotta. Hickey tried to keep her from cooperating with authorities on May 1, according to the complaint.

Weeks after the fight with Ferroni, Hickey committed a misdemeanor battery on Segotta on May 24, according to the second complaint.

The third complaint charges Hickey with one count of vandalism of over $400 in damage. Court papers say he destroyed a television and glassware that belonged to Segotta on June 5. He also is charged with public intoxication in connection to that event.

Lodi police reported that Segotta, 50, said she came home to find her belongings thrown outside.

Hickey has denied committing all the crimes and has alleged he is being targeted for political reasons.

He is scheduled to appear in court again on all charges July 1.

Contact reporter Jennie Rodriguez-Moore at (209) 943-8564 or jrodriguez@recordnet.com. Follow her at recordnet.com/courtsblog and on Twitter @TheRecordCourts.